Mechanical Faults in Cars: Silent Killers on the Road

You drive your car every day. It starts, moves, and gets you to your office or any desired destination. Sometimes drivers drive their vehicle for a long time but do not know much about its internal condition. It is quite possible that your car is experiencing mechanical faults and you may not even know it. Mechanical faults do not always show early signs, but they may go wrong at any time.

Due to mechanical faults, your car may stop working efficiently in the middle of nowhere. Moreover, serious accidents are also possible due to these mechanical faults. You can save your car from these mechanical faults with the help of regular Car Servicing Swindon.

In this article, we will explore common mechanical fault, their warning signs, dangers, and the role of regular car servicing in preventing them.

What Are Mechanical Faults?

Mechanical faults occur in the moving and functional parts of your vehicle. These parts include:

Engine

Transmission

Brakes

Suspension

Steering

Cooling system

Fuel system

Clutch (for manual cars)

Mechanical faults in these components are not similar to aesthetic damage. These faults affect how the car performs or responds on busy roads, quiet highways and narrow streets.

Let us look at mechanical faults in these car components one by one.

Brake Failure: The Silent Threat

Undoubtedly, car brakes are the most important safety component of your vehicle. If they fail, you cannot stop your car in time. So, the inefficiency of your car brakes is a clear invitation for disaster.

Your car shows the following warning signs when they are not in good condition:

Spongy or soft brake pedal

Screeching or grinding sounds

The car is pulling to one side

The brake warning light on the dashboard

You have to respond promptly whenever you observe these warning signals.

Risky factors:

Rear-end collisions

Long stopping distance

Loss of control on wet roads

Check your car brakes regularly to avoid mechanical defects. Faults like worn brake pads and bad fuel condition usually occur in the car brakes. You can save your car from these faults with proper car servicing and car maintenance.

Engine Overheating: Boil Before Breakdown

Unlike the driver’s belief, an overheating engine is a common mechanical fault. These issues may occur in the engine due to a small coolant leak or clogged radiator. This issue ends in inefficiency and poor health of car engine.

Generally, drivers observe the following warning signs:

Temperature gauge rising

Steam from the bonnet

Coolant light flashing

Sweet smell near the engine

Risky factors:

Head gasket damage

Engine block crack

Total engine failure

Regular car service includes a coolant check, radiator cleaning, and thermostat inspection. These steps are small, but they will save the most expensive part of your car – your engine.

Worn-Out Suspension: The Hidden Danger

Suspension is responsible for keeping your car stable and smooth on the roads. If it experiences mechanical defects, your car will not run smoothly on the roads. It will bounce and make noise. Mostly, drivers ignore it, but they should not.

Worn suspension makes the following signs:

Bumpy or noisy ride

Uneven tread wear

Poor handling

Nose-dive during braking

Risk Factors:

Loss of control when you turn your vehicle

Promoted tread wear

Damage to the chassis over time

During a car service, mechanics check suspension bushings, shocks, and struts. Regular service prevents issues like steering misalignment and frame damage.

Faulty Steering: Don’t Lose Direction

Steering is important for taking turns. Therefore, it should respond immediately. A loose or tight steering is not ideal for proper balance.

Faults in the steering system show the following red flags:

Steering wheel vibration

Difficulty in turning

Lazy response

Fluid leaks near the front wheels

Risky Factors:

Poor Parking precision

Sudden loss of control

Drifting in lanes

Your mechanic will check the power steering fluid, pump, and rack during the car service. These steps are necessary for the early detection of mechanical faults.

Gearbox or Transmission Faults: Slipping Danger

The gearbox shifts power from the engine to your wheels. Because of mechanical faults in the gearbox, your car may struggle to move or shift gears on roads.

Observe these warning signs if you want to check your gearbox:

Hard gear shifts

Gear slipping

Lazy acceleration

Burning smell

Risk factors:

Sudden deceleration on highways

High repair bills

Transmission breakdown

Regular car servicing includes steps like fluid check, clutch wear, and gear calibration. Do not ignore the warning signs and see your mechanic for a faulty gearbox and transmission.

Clutch Problems: Especially in Manual Cars

If your clutch wears out, you will feel a loss of power and your car might rev loudly but not move forward.

Check your car for the following signs:

Burning smell while driving

The pedal feels loose or stiff

Gear shifting problems

Jerky starts

Risk Factors:

Total loss of movement

Rollback on slopes

Engine stress

Mechanics check the car clutch for worn clutch plates and hydraulic faults.

Exhaust System Issues: Not Just About Noise

The health of your exhaust system is vital for your health as well. A faulty exhaust may send harmful emissions into your cabin. Therefore, you have to look at these warning signs:

Loud exhaust sound

Decrease in power

Smell of gas inside the car

Loose exhaust pipe

Risk factors:

Poisonous fumes

Engine performance drops

During the car service, your mechanic is expected to inspect the exhaust pipes, muffler, and catalytic converter.

Why People Ignore Mechanical Faults

Drivers have different reasons to ignore mechanical faults. Some of them delay repairs to save money, and others think the signs are not serious. Other overconfident drivers wait for louder signs because minor signs do not affect a vehicle according to their belief.

Modern cars come with highly efficient sensors. Therefore, warning signs are more evident in these vehicles. By the time you observe the warning signs, they cause serious damage.

The role of Regular Servicing

You can save your car from mechanical faults with regular car servicing. Experienced mechanics generally detect and fix minor issues to eliminate the chances of more serious problems. A car service covers vital components of your vehicle to keep it in good condition. Therefore, these components hardly experience mechanical faults.

Final words

Car service is vital for performance and comfort. Moreover, this procedure helps you pass the MOT Test Swindon test easily as well. So, service your car regularly and keep an eye on the warning signs. This is the best approach to keep a car in good condition.